St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-09-17
DROUGHT AND CYCLONES.

some Suggestions for Their Prevention
"A Subject Well Deserving Thoughtful
Consideration.
The following article by Mr.. Thomas
E. Hill. editor of Hiirs National
Builder. contains certainly some
thoughts worthy the attention Of scien-
lists and agriculturists everywhere.
The author of the article is himself a
thorough scholar. q close observer.
and a tireless student of many social
as well rs economic questions. The
conclusions he arrives at are based
upon years of careful study and OBJ
servation. and coming as they do from
man of his attainments. are certain
to attract attention. Mr.. Hill says:
"During a recent Journey to Europe
the passage across the ocean was es-
pecially unpleasant because of fogs.
the only consolation in contemplating
them being that they represented the
work of Nature in drawing moisture
from the water. which, waited inland,
fell upon the soil in refreshing rain.
gathered in the brooks and rivers and
flowed to the sea, to be again thus sent
back to freshen and brighten the
parched earth.
"The speed of our vessel was materi-
ally retarded by winds from the west,
| a common occurrence in the summer
season. The fogs and moisture
through these winds are driven upon
the continent, where drought seldom
prevails. and particularly do they
freshen the verdure of Ireland. and
hence the brilliant green Of the En-
erald Isle.
In rejecting upon this subject. I
contemplated the drought then pre-
vailing in several of the Western and
Middle States Of the Union. What had
they to gather rain from? Alas, what
have they? For q generation our
farmers have been draining their lands
of moisture. They have been running
their tileing through every slough;-
they have drawn out the water from
every swamp; they have dried up the
pond. they have obliterated the beauti-
full little lake. In doing this they have
made such easy and rapid egress for
rainfall from the soil. as to endanger
the homes and farm land of all the
settlers along the great rivers in the
Southern regions of our country.
already inflicting great distress. loss of
life and property equaling in value
many millions of dollars - an evil
which is growing in magnitude each
year.
''The result Of this wholesale drain
ing of the upper country of water is not
only thus disastrous to life and prop
erty along the larger streams from fire.
quent overflow, but there is such abso-
lutte drainage Of moisture from the
earth as to produce severe drought, ac-
companied by such intense heat and
dryness of atmosphere as results in the
hurricane. the cyclone and innumera-
BILE village, prairie and forest fires.
''In the early days when the process
of evaporation of moisture went for
ward from the swamps. the ponds and
lakes of our Western and Middle
States. an extended drought, with ex-
tremely intense heat, was comparative
ly rare In those days sun-stroke was
very uncommon. and the cyclone was
comparatively unknown. This year
we are in the second season of drought
in various portions Of the country,
while every year brings its devastation
from wind. the result of an excessively
dry and frequently disturbed condition
Of the atmosphere.
with the land thus denuded of nat
ural water supply. there is but one
course for our farmers to pursue to
save themselves from these evils They
may drain their soil. but they should
gather the rainfall in ponds and lakes
scattered throughout their lands. In
stead of running drains through and
out Of the swamp. they should lead to
an excavation of such size as circum-
stances will permit, which should be
made at depth Of three or four feet
where the water can gather and will
remain throughout the year, quenching
the thirst of animals, giving drink to
birds. a reservoir in case Of fire, home
for fish. spot of beauty on which may
sail the boat, an opportunity for the
bath and for teaching the young peo-
pie to swim. 1t will yield ice for the
family. provide skating for the happy
youth in winter time. and moisture.
which. through evaporation. will pass
into the cloud to be returned again
through rainfall to the needy earth.
''No fear need he entertained of
stagnation from water thus held in re-
serve. Fish will of themselves purify
it. Every rain will change it while.
if.the lake covers an acre or more in
area, the wind will constantly keep it
pure. The writer. in proof of this. has
an artificial lake ON his farm, the re-
suit of dredging . swamp. which Is
filled only by rainfall the water being.
in the dryest season, always perfectly
clear and fresh.
ION the low lands the general aban-
donment of farms and homes from riv-
er overflow will be the inevitable
outcome Of this water wastage in
the high grounds Such is al
ready the fact, while the expen-
diture of many millions Of dollars
by the Government, in the construc-
ton of levees and embankments along
the great rivers. will be necessary for
the further protection Of adjoining
property. Vastly better that this ex-
penditure be made in holding the
water where it is required in the up
country.